Join the Algolia MCP Server Challenge: $3,000 in Prizes!
Jess Lee

Jess Lee @jess

About: Building DEV and Forem with everyone here. Interested in the future.

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Join the Algolia MCP Server Challenge: $3,000 in Prizes!

Publish Date: Jul 10
137 39

We are thrilled to partner with Algolia, one of our amazing Diamond Sponsors, for an exciting new DEV challenge that explores the cutting edge of AI-powered search.

Running through July 27, the Algolia MCP Server Challenge invites you to explore the intersection of AI and search technology using Algolia's Model Context Protocol (MCP) server. Whether you're focused on enhancing search capabilities or building intelligent user experiences, this challenge offers creative opportunities to innovate with search-powered solutions.

We have one prompt for this challenge, but three opportunities to win!

Our Prompt

Your mandate is to build with the Algolia MCP Server. Focus on building something that showcases the power of Algolia's MCP server in whatever way inspires you most.

If you're someone who appreciates a bit more direction, you can consider our additional prize categories below.

Additional Prize Categories

  • Backend Data Optimization: Awarded to a top submission that focuses on backend data enrichment by integrating with other 3rd party AI tools like Claude Desktop, n8n workflows, etc.
  • Ultimate User Experience: Awarded to a top submission with a compelling user-facing application that uses the Algolia MCP server to retrieve information to deliver intelligent responses.

Prizes

Our overall prompt winner and additional prize categories winners will each receive:

  • $1,000 USD
  • DEV++ Membership
  • Exclusive DEV Badge

All Participants with a valid submission will receive a completion badge on their DEV profile.

How To Participate

In order to participate, you will need to publish a post using the submission template below. All submissions must utilize the Algolia MCP server, include a GitHub repo of the project code, and a short explainer video.

Algolia MCP Server Challenge Submission Template

Please review our full rules, guidelines, and FAQ page before submitting so you understand our participation guidelines and official contest rules such as eligibility requirements.

Helpful Resources

We encourage all participants to join the Algolia Discord Server to connect with their team and developers building with Algolia!

  • Algolia Developer Docs
  • Sample Datasets
  • Algolia MCP GitHub repo:

    GitHub logo algolia / mcp-node

    MCP server for interacting with Algolia

    🔍 Algolia Node.js MCP

    Quick StartFeaturesUsage ExamplesInstallationConfigurationDevelopmentTroubleshootingContributingLicense

    algolia-mcp-demo.mp4

    This repository contains experimental Model Context Protocol (or MCP) servers for interacting with Algolia APIs. We're sharing it for you to explore and experiment with. Feel free to use it, fork it, or build on top of it — but just know that it's not officially supported by Algolia and isn't covered under our SLA.

    We might update it, break it, or remove it entirely at any time. If you customize or configure things here, there's a chance that work could be lost. Also, using MCP in production could affect your Algolia usage.

    If you have feedback or ideas (even code!), we'd love to hear it. Just know that we might use it to help improve our products. This project is provided "as is" and "as…

  • Things you can do with Algolia MCP:

Important Dates

  • July 10: Algolia MCP Server Challenge begins!
  • July 27: Submissions due at 11:59 PM PDT
  • August 7: Winners Announced

We can't wait to see how you push the boundaries of AI-powered search! Questions about the challenge? Ask them below.

Good luck and happy coding!

Comments 39 total

  • Peter Kim Frank
    Peter Kim FrankJul 10, 2025

    I've been playing around with the Algolia MCP myself the last few days (on the "Movies" sample data set). I'm really excited to see what the community builds!

  • Ben Halpern
    Ben HalpernJul 10, 2025

    Good luck everyone!

  • özkan pakdil
    özkan pakdilJul 10, 2025

    @gokerdev 3k sounds nice 😊 and a good learning opportunity

  • kevin heidt
    kevin heidtJul 11, 2025

    Which submission would I use if I wanted to make a better version of the mcp server?

    • Chuck Meyer
      Chuck MeyerJul 11, 2025

      This one is about building with the existing MCP — but we’ve built them in Node and Go and we’re always open to see what others come up with.

      I’d be the first to agree this version is coupled a little too tightly to the API (it was generated for the OpenAPI specs)

      • Nikoloz Turazashvili (@axrisi)
        Nikoloz Turazashvili (@axrisi)Jul 12, 2025

        I actually made it work with WSL on Windows and connecting MCP that runs on WSL with Claude Desktop.
        Can drop a video on YT how to do it, or make pull request on Algolia install tutorial file if you think would be useful.

  • Veríssimo Cassange
    Veríssimo CassangeJul 11, 2025

    🚀🚀🚀

  • Satoshi Nakamoto
    Satoshi NakamotoJul 11, 2025

    BRC21 Token

  • Dotallio
    DotallioJul 11, 2025

    Super cool prompt, I love how open-ended it is - I'm already brainstorming ways to blend external AI tools into search workflows. Anyone else planning to experiment with connecting n8n or Claude for backend magic?

  • АнонимJul 11, 2025

    [deleted]

  • АнонимJul 11, 2025

    [deleted]

  • Rajguru Yadav
    Rajguru YadavJul 11, 2025

    Good luck 🤞 every one

  • Futuritous
    FuturitousJul 11, 2025

    Best wishes to everyone.

  • ANIRUDDHA  ADAK
    ANIRUDDHA ADAKJul 11, 2025

    exciting

  • Chuck Meyer
    Chuck MeyerJul 11, 2025

    So excited to see what everyone comes up with. Hit us up on Discord if you have any issues!

  • Cristian Parada
    Cristian ParadaJul 11, 2025

    Greatest!

  • Prema Ananda
    Prema AnandaJul 12, 2025

    I've got a brilliant idea on how to use your MCP!

  • Prema Ananda
    Prema AnandaJul 13, 2025

    Successfully set up the MCP server on Windows 10 and connected it to Gemini CLI - absolutely mesmerizing to watch the LLM work with databases!
    The way it handles table creation, data management, and index operations is truly virtuosic.
    This kind of AI-database integration feels like glimpsing the future of development. Great work on making this accessible!

  • Matthew  Cummins
    Matthew CumminsJul 13, 2025

    Okay then.

  • naveen g
    naveen gJul 14, 2025

    I had a quick question regarding the MCP server. Since the Model Context Protocol is an open standard, would it be acceptable and encouraged to build a custom Algolia MCP server implementation in Java (e.g., with Spring Boot) for the challenge, instead of using the provided Node.js or Go reference implementations?

  • Nikoloz Turazashvili (@axrisi)
    Nikoloz Turazashvili (@axrisi)Jul 14, 2025

    Hey everyone. I submitted project for this challenge.
    But wanted to ask anyone from Algolia if there is anything they have in mind would be great to create, but didn't have time or resources to create.

    So maybe I can work on it.

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  • JT
    JTJul 19, 2025

    Hi, just want to clarify, is the explainer video mandatory?

  • sodabeh sheykh
    sodabeh sheykhJul 20, 2025

    July 27: Submissions due at 11:59 PM PDT

  • Prema Ananda
    Prema AnandaJul 24, 2025

    Finally got my mega-project to working condition: dev.to/prema_ananda/algolia-robocl...

  • massoud
    massoudJul 24, 2025

    GOOD

  • amna sarwar
    amna sarwarJul 24, 2025

    What is this?

  • Hari R
    Hari RAug 1, 2025

    Damn I wish i saw this earlier

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